The HOVER app creates a 3D model of your home so you can visualize your home remodeling decisions before making a choice.
At Texas Home Improvement, we understand home renovation decisions can be overwhelming. There are a lot of factors to consider. Making decisions without a clear mental picture can feel like a gamble, which is why we’re proud to offer the HOVER app to our home renovation customers.
The HOVER app takes away a lot of the guesswork thanks to unique visual tools and virtual measurements.
Get a 3D model of your home without expensive CAD software or photography.
Home renovation shows always use 3D models to show you their plans for a renovation. Unfortunately, while the model’s value is clear, getting your own can seem impossible—unless you’re ready to pay top dollar.
Architects can make a 3D rendering from your home’s blueprints, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. The luxury of a 3D model seemed out of reach for many homeowners—until the HOVER app.
The HOVER app makes 3D renderings accessible for everyday homeowners. All you need is a smartphone and a few minutes outside. The HOVER app needs just eight photos of your home’s exterior to build a realistic rendering.
The app will guide you through the process and show you the exact angles it needs. After a quick walk around the house and a few taps, it takes 48 hours to generate your model.
Accurate measurements provide accurate price estimates—and better budget management.
No one wants to name a price based on an eyeball estimate. But sadly, this happens all the time. It’s challenging to accurately measure the size of the roof or how much siding you have. Inaccuracy can lead to quoting errors and big surprises when you get the final bill. Making decisions based on a ballpark guess can tank your budget or sideline your project.
The HOVER app captures accurate measurements of your home’s dimensions, which means a smoother and more reliable quoting process. And with the HOVER app, your contractor doesn’t have to guess. Instead, they can calculate the material and labor costs based on actual numbers rather than assumptions.
As a result, you can minimize your anxiety about the price tag, stay true to your budget and reduce waste.
See all your options and make more confident decisions.
Not everyone can visualize their home in a new color or a different material for the roof. It can be intimidating to make such a large-scale decision when you’re unsure how it will look.
The HOVER app digitally alters the appearance of your home, from exterior colors to siding to roofing materials. You can even play with different options for windows.
You’ll see a photorealistic rendering of all your choices before making any big decisions. This clarity on each option makes it much easier to make confident decisions.
Quickly share data with anyone who needs it.
The HOVER app connects everyone who has a vested interest in details about your home. That includes your contractor, your insurance company, and you.
You won’t be scrambling for blueprints or long-lost forms or attaching 50 JPEGs to an email. Instead, you can send photos and dimensions to everyone who needs them, along with your 3D rendering.
Texas Home Improvement is passionate about helping our customers feel good about their home remodeling decisions. That’s why we use the HOVER app to streamline every project.
What Is Fascia?
Fascia is the long, straight board that runs along the edge of your roofline. It’s usually the part you see directly below the roof shingles and along the outer edge of the eaves.
Fascia serves a few important purposes.
First, it provides a finished edge for the roof. It also helps support the lower edge of the roofing system and provides a surface where gutters can be attached.
That last part is especially important. Your gutters rely on the fascia for support, and properly functioning gutters help direct rainwater away from your home and its foundation.
If your fascia becomes damaged or starts to rot, it can eventually affect the gutters and the areas around them.
Why Are Soffit and Fascia Important?
Soffit and Fascia work together to protect one of the more vulnerable areas of your home’s exterior.
They help:
- Provide attic ventilation
- Protect the roofline from weather and moisture
- Keep pests out of the eaves
- Protect exposed areas beneath the roof
- Provide support for gutter systems
- Create a finished appearance around the roofline
Because they’re exposed to the elements year after year, they can eventually develop problems.
Common Soffit and Fascia Problems
Rot and Water Damage
Water is one of the biggest concerns, particularly with wood materials.
Leaks, damaged roofing, clogged gutters, or poor drainage can allow moisture to reach the soffit and fascia. Over time, that moisture can lead to rot, mold, and deterioration.
Soft or crumbling wood is a good reason to have the area inspected.
Cracking and Warping
Exterior materials are constantly exposed to heat, cold, moisture, and UV rays. Over time, that exposure can cause some materials to crack, warp, or pull away from the home.
If you notice boards that are bowing, separating, or no longer sitting properly, they should be checked.
Pest Problems
Small openings in damaged soffit can give birds, insects, and other pests a way into the eaves or attic.
If you notice nests, insects, or signs of animals getting into the roofline, inspect the soffit and fascia for gaps or damage.
Gutter Problems
Because gutters are commonly attached to the fascia, damaged fascia can create problems with the gutter system.
If your gutters are pulling away from the house, sagging, or becoming difficult to secure, the condition of the fascia behind them is worth checking.
When Should You Repair or Replace Soffit and Fascia?
Not every damaged soffit or fascia needs a complete replacement. However, if you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s worth having the area inspected:
- Soft or rotting wood
- Cracks or holes
- Warping or separation
- Water stains or signs of moisture damage
- Pest entry points
- Gutters pulling away from the fascia
- Repeated repairs or repainting in the same areas
- Large sections of deteriorating material
It is important to understand why the damage happened in the first place.
Replacing a section of rotted fascia without addressing an ongoing water or drainage problem could leave you dealing with the same issue again.
What Materials Can Be Used for Soffit and Fascia?
Homeowners have several material options, including wood, aluminum, and fiber cement.
Wood
Wood has a traditional appearance and can work well with certain home styles. The downside is that it requires more maintenance and can be vulnerable to moisture, rot, insects, and weather exposure.
Aluminum
Aluminum is another low-maintenance option. It’s resistant to moisture and won’t rot, although it can dent and may eventually show signs of wear.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is another option for homeowners looking for a durable exterior material with lower maintenance needs than traditional wood.
James Hardie fiber cement is one option to consider for both siding and soffit/fascia.
Why Consider James Hardie for Siding, Soffit, and Fascia?
If you’re already replacing failing siding, it can make sense to inspect the soffit and fascia at the same time.
These areas all work together as part of your home’s exterior, so replacing damaged materials together can create a more consistent finished look and address multiple areas of deterioration at once.
James Hardie fiber cement is designed to handle moisture and weather exposure while requiring less maintenance than traditional wood. For Texas homeowners, that can be especially valuable given the heat, sun, storms, and changing weather conditions our homes experience.
Using James Hardie for siding and soffit/fascia can also give the exterior a more cohesive appearance instead of mixing several different materials along the same roofline.
Of course, the right material depends on the condition of your home, the source of the damage, your budget, and the look you’re trying to achieve.
What Should You Look for Around Your Roofline?
You don’t need to be a contractor to spot some of the common warning signs. Take a look around your roofline and keep an eye out for:
- Soft or crumbling material
- Cracks or holes
- Warping or sagging
- Peeling or deteriorating paint
- Water stains or discoloration
- Gaps around the soffit
- Signs of birds or insects
- Gutters pulling away from the fascia
- Areas that have required repeated repairs
If you notice several of these issues at once, it’s a good idea to have the area professionally inspected.
Final Thoughts
Soffit and fascia may not be the first things you notice about your home, but they serve important purposes.
They help protect the roofline, support gutters, provide attic ventilation, and keep moisture and pests out of vulnerable areas.
If you’re seeing rot, cracking, warping, water damage, or other deterioration, the right solution isn’t always to replace everything. Start by identifying the source of the problem and determining whether repair or replacement makes the most sense.
And if you’re already replacing your siding, take the opportunity to inspect your soffit and fascia as well.
For Texas homeowners looking for a durable fiber-cement exterior, James Hardie siding and soffit/fascia are options worth considering as part of a complete exterior replacement.
